2023 · Q73
Naphthalene burns with a yellow sooty flame. This is because
General KnowledgeChemistry
- Acarbon to hydrogen ratio is low
- Bthere is incomplete combusion
- Cthere is excess supply of air
- Dof presence of impurities of nitrogen and sulfur
Explanation
Naphthalene (C10H8) has a very high carbon-to-hydrogen ratio, so it cannot burn completely in the available air; the unburnt carbon particles glow and escape as soot, giving a yellow, smoky (sooty) flame. The sooty flame is therefore due to incomplete combustion, not excess air or nitrogen/sulfur impurities.